Population growth, urbanisation and economic growth create enormous pressure on the global (drinking) water system. Worldwide 663 million people do not have access to an improved water source or use untreated surface water while 2.4 billion people do not have access to sanitation facilities.

In a public-private collaboration (2017-2030) with the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and together with their local partner companies in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the ten Dutch water companies (Vitens, Evides Watercompany, WML, Watercompany Groningen, Brabant Water, PWN, Oasen, Dunea, Waternet and WMD) contribute to increasing access to sustainable water services. The name of this collaboration is WaterWorX.WaterWorX was officials launched during the Dutch celebration of World Water Day 2017 in The Hague.

WaterWorX aims to increase sustainable access to drinking water to 10 million people in 2030. Through Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) between Dutch and local water companies, WaterWorX is working on long term sustainable water services by improving operation and maintenance of the local water companies and getting their finances in order.

This has a positive effect on the willingness to finance (loans for) large-scale investments in water infrastructure making it possible to connect large numbers of people to water and sanitation. To further increase the impact, the programme has adopted a sector-wide approach aimed at strengthening the enabling environment and obtain political support for change in a number of countries.